Sport

FOOTBALL: Coaching chance for girls

TALENTED young female footballers in and around the county are being offered a gilt-edged opportunity to strive for international stardom thanks to the prestigious new FA-licensed Girls Advanced Coaching Centre.

Three Somerset venues will hold trials in July for under-10s, under-12s, under-14s and under-16s.

Schools and clubs believing they have the calibre of youngsters keen and able enough to progress to high levels of the local and national game are being urged to nominate them.

The Advanced Coaching Centre will replace the Somerset FA Girls Centre of Excellence from the start of the 2014-15 season.

The centre provides the cream of the crop of young female players in Somerset and surrounding areas with weekly training and fixtures while enabling them to continue playing for their regular club sides.

The initiative offers talented players an opportunity to access appropriate levels of coaching and support through the FA’s England Talent Pathway programme, which strives to produce elite female players capable of competing at international level.

Somerset FA’s ACC manager Aaron Clements said: “This is the only FA Advanced Coaching Centre in the county, and the only pathway for talented young female players to progress to the England Youth and senior squads.

“This scheme represents a pinnacle playing opportunity for talented players in the area and offers a direct chance for girls to progress into international football.

“The fixture programme involving other centres in the South-West ensures high-quality competitive opportunities on a regular basis to challenge each player.”